"We're waxing down our surfboards, we can't wait for June" sang the Beach Boys on one of their hit songs, well there's no need to wait for June on Lanzarote as the surfing season continues all year round. Even though the big surf beaches may be fairly quiet at the moment, there are still a few hardy surfers who go out every day. However, plenty of surf fans will be planning their surf holidays for next summer and booking their flights to this popular island in the Canaries.
A few of the surf schools on the island have been in business for over 10 years now and have well established bases, teaching surfers from all over Europe throughout the year. Famara is the best known spot on Lanzarote for surfing, for a number of reasons. It's location is key, being in the ideal spot to receive those ideal Atlantic swells that roll in continuously, sometimes quite ferociously, sometimes more serenely for beginners. Famara also has a lovely beach, to keep the spectators happy and, being quite remote from the typical tourist beaches, there's no problem with sun seekers getting in the way. An added benefit is the area's beauty, with no lack of wonderful scenery to provide a perfect backdrop to a day's surfing the waves.
Now and again surfers experience the huge waves that non-surfers conjure up in their minds when they think about the typical Hawaiian surfers shown in advertisements and magazine shoots, but for most of the surfers that visit Lanzarote, such huge waves would only mean most people having to sit out the day on the beach, watching just a few highly skilled experts getting their kicks. No, for most people the usual gentle waves of Lanzarote's surf beaches are plenty big enough. In addition to the favoured beach at Famara, the tiny island of La Graciosa, which lies off the north west coast of Lanzarote, provides a different surf spot just south of the beach at Playa de las Conchas. South of Famara is another area around the La Santa Sports Club, with a choice of 4 locations, but advised for more experienced surfers due to the speed of the waves and the rocky sea bed.
Finally on the southern end of Lanzarote's western coast are El Golfo and Janubio beach, both suitable for surfers of intermediate ability. Lanzarote has also gained a great reputation as one of the best places to host surf competitions in Europe and regularly hosts the European legs of the world's top international surfing competitions. In early November 2009 the Santa Pro surf competition was held at Famara beach, although organisers were forced to shift beaches south to la Santa for a couple of days due to the conditions. A total of 93 competitors competed for the prizes and huge twelve foot waves provided exciting conditions. Australian professional Drew Courtney overcame Brazilian Bernardo Miranda in the final.
Earlier in the year, during July, Spain held its national kitesurfing championships in Lanzarote at Playa de Famara, when 84 competitors visited the island to compete for the national titles. Professional windsurfing also came to Lanzarote during July when the PWA championship event was held at the Playa Las Cucharas in Costa Teguise. In 2010, professional surfing returns to the Canary Islands when the ASP Junior Surf Tour comes to Realejos in Tenerife during September.
For people new to surfing, who are not sure where to start, then the beginner's version of wave boarding or "boogie" boarding is the ideal way to get going and Lanzarote's beaches are the perfect place to. With some cheap equipment and a little instruction, complete beginners can be out in the waves having fun almost straight away. You just need a board and some optional flippers and you'll be away. The waters are not cold like the UK and you won't even need a wetsuit during the summer months. Its probably best to start with a lesson or two at one of the many surf schools, if only to pick up some tips beach etiquette (how to avoid upsetting everyone else out there) and to understand the safety aspects of rip tides and danger areas. Apart from than that it's a great surf sport for young and old.
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